Track

ABSTRACT

In a track whose rails are laterally and downwardly supported on the rail outer side and on the rail inner side via elastic intermediate inserts (4, 6) by longitudinal carriers underneath the head portion (3), the rails (2) extend at a distance above the track structure parts located therebelow. The longitudinal carriers at the rail outer side are first console ledges (5) which are part of a base plate (10) lying under the rails (2), and the longitudinal carriers on the rail inner side are second console ledges (7) which are part of an inner plate (11) lying between the rails (2), which inner plate (11) in turn is supported on the base plate (10).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a track whose rails are laterally anddownwardly supported on the rail outer side and on the rail inner sidevia elastic intermediate inserts by longitudinal carriers underneath thehead portion, the rails extending at a distance above the trackstructure parts located therebelow.

To reduce the shocks occurring when the tracks are being used and toreduce the structure-borne noise created thereby, elastically mountedrails have been proposed for some time. Thus, e.g., in WO 92/04503 atrack-substructure is described in which the rails are, supported onprofiled rails as longitudinal carriers via elastic intermediateinserts, which are arranged on the rail outer and rail inner sides andwhich are connected with carriers consisting of prefabricated concreteparts arranged therebelow, the space underneath the foot portion of therail being free. The carriers are interconnected by transverse struts.The profiled rails have a cross-section comprising several bends, andthey are braced to each other by means of screws guided through the webof the rails. The structure of this track thus is complex, since aplurality of partially complicated structure parts are required whosemounting requires a lot of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To require fewer structure parts and less time, according to theinvention it is provided that the longitudinal carriers at the railouter side are first console ledges which are part of a base plate lyingunder the rails and that the longitudinal carriers on the rail innerside are second console ledges which are part of an inner plate lyingbetween the rails, which inner plate in turn is supported on the baseplate. The inner plate may be designed as a frame.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in that on the railouter side, the base plate comprises upwardly projecting side portions,on which the first console ledges are arranged to be integrated, andthat the second console ledges are arranged to be integrated at thelateral ends of the inner plate or frame.

To equally distribute the load on the base plates and on the innerplates, and to avoid the coincidence of sites of abutment of the baseplates with the sites of abutment of the inner plates, it may beadvantageous that the base plate and the inner plate have equal lengthsand are arranged to be longitudinally offset relative to each other byhalf a length.

For better static and dynamic transmissions of forces between the innerplates and the base plates, it is advantageous if the base plate and/orthe inner plate comprise(s) at least one longitudinal rib to support theinner plate on the base plate, wherein preferably an elastomer band isarranged between the longitudinal rib of the base plate and of the innerplate, or between a longitudinal rib provided on the inner plate and thebase plate, so as to obtain a sound absorbing effect and an elasticbedding.

A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the baseplate comprises two upwardly directed longitudinal ribs arranged at adistance from each other, which longitudinal ribs are interrupted intheir middle region or have a reduced height, and that the inner plateat its end regions includes two longitudinal ribs which register withthe longitudinal ribs of the base plate. This ensures that the base andinner plates cannot be longitudinally shifted relative to each other.

To avoid bending of the elastomer bands at the transitions between thelongitudinal ribs of the respective plates, and also to maintain thesound absorbing effect in this region, it is advantageous if thelongitudinal ribs are designed to be chamfered at the mutual transitionsto the respective plate body of the base plate or of the inner plate.

To save weight and material, the plates suitably are designed such thatboth the base plate and the inner plate in their middle are eachprovided with a preferably rectangle-shaped recess so as to form aframe, the frame optionally being provided with a closed bottom so as toincrease its strength.

In a preferred embodiment, the base plate and the inner plate aredesigned as prefabricated parts, preferably made of ferroconcrete,polymer bonded concrete, or special concrete, which is cost-saving.

In particular instances, e.g. if the ground is less solid or is veryuneven, it is advantageous if the base plate is made of site-mixedconcrete.

Both, the base plate and the inner plate, are suitably provided withreinforcements to increase their strength, and these reinforcements maybe slack or pretensioned.

To determine the electric potential of the base plates, preferably onthe upper end of the side portions of the base plate, longitudinallyextending profiles of metal are arranged, wherein the profiles ofsuccessively arranged base plates are electrically interconnected and/orconnected to ground. This also additionally increases the strength ofthe base plate.

With the subject matter of the invention, various forms of rail sectionscan be utilized, and preferably the console ledges and the elasticintermediate inserts designed as elastomer profiles are adapted to theshape of the head portion, the web and the foot portion of the rail.

The particular bearing of the rails provided in the subject matter ofthe invention makes it seem advantageous that the rails supported by theconsole ledges of the base plates and of the inner plates have a footportion designed equal to the head portion. In this manner, each railmay be used a total of four times by repeated turning thereof after ithas been worn, so that it has a long usable life. It may be mentionedthat rails having equally designed head and foot portions are known fromU.S. 1 260 149 A.

According to another possibility for an easier installation of the railsinto the plates it is advantageous if the width of the foot portion ofthe rails is equal to or smaller than the distance between the first andthe second console ledges.

Preferably, the base plate and the inner plate are designed to have arectangle-shaped ground plan and have equal lengths, the base plate andthe inner plate being arranged to be longitudinally offset relative toeach other. For arcuate track paths, it may advantageously be providedthat the ground plan of the base plate has the shape of a isoscelestrapezoid, and that the ground plan of the inner plate has the shape oftwo assembled non-isosceles trapezoids, which are both designed tocorrespond to the shape of one half of the base plate each.

With conically turned-off running surfaces of the wheel tires, it isadvantageous if the rails are inwardly inclined for adaptation to therunning surface. A preferred embodiment for inclined positioning of therails is characterized in that the height of the elastomer profile atthe rail outer side below the head portion exceeds the height of theelastomer profile at the rail inner side. Another embodiment forinclined positioning of the rails consists in that the distance of theconsole ledge at the rail outer side to the upper edge of the base plateexceeds the distance of the console ledge on the rail inner side to theupper edge of the inner plate.

For safety and revision reasons, advantageously the base plates, whichare designed as prefabricated parts, are rigidly connected to a base atintervals of from 10 to 60 m. Preferably, metal plates are anchored inthe base, fastening elements being attached to said metal plates so asto clamp the rails.

To enable a simple installation and removal of the rails it isadvantageous that central recesses are provided on the inner side of theside portions of the base plate and, optionally, on the outer side ofthe side portions of the inner plate, the console ledges and theassociated elastomer profiles being interrupted in the region of therecesses so as to enable the entry of a tool, e.g. the jaws of tongsengaging at the rails.

To increase the strength and the load bearing capacity of the baseplate, advantageously broadening portions outwardly directed from theside portions may be provided on the base plate.

An embodiment of the track according to the invention which isparticularly suitable with a view to installation of the rails ischaracterized in that the foot portion of the rails is designed as abead, the elastomer profiles in the disassembled state each having awidth corresponding to approximately half the distance between the twoconsole ledges. Thus, it is relatively simple to insert or slide in therails between the console ledges which are covered with the elastomerprofiles, and after installation of the rails, between the elastomerprofiles, the latter are secured by the bead against an upward movement.It is also suitable for the installation if the two elastomer profilesassociated with one rail are formed in one piece by being connected attheir lower ends.

Furthermore, for a simple installation and removal of the rails it maybe advantageous if a recess is provided on the side portions of the baseplate at the sites of abutment. To install the elastomer profiles, it isadvantageous that a slanted recess extending from the outside to theinside, is provided on the side portions of the base plate at the sitesof abutment.

To reduce the running noise of the wheels it is advantageous if walls ofsound-absorbing material are attached externally to one or both sides ofthe side walls of the base plate.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the upper seatengaging surfaces ofthe console ledges of the base plate and of the inner plate extendsubstantially in parallel to the lower seat-engaging surface of the headportion of the rails.

A first method of mounting the track is characterized by the steps:

a) laying elastomer bands onto the longitudinal ribs of the base plate,and laying the rails against the console ledges of the base plate,

b) inserting the inner plate on the one side of the base plate in aslanted manner, and pivoting inward the inner plate into the base plateon the other side,

c) sliding-in the elastomer profiles between the console ledges of theinner plate and the rails,

d) pressing together the rails from the outside, and inserting theelastomer profiles between the console ledges of the base plate and therails,

e) releasing the tension of the rails towards the outer side so that therails are braced between the elastomer profiles provided on the consoleledges.

A second method of mounting the track is characterized by the steps:

a) attaching elastomer profiles to the console ledges of the inner plateand laying the rails against elastomer profiles,

b) pressing the rails together from the outside,

c) laying elastomer bands onto the longitudinal ribs of the base plate,and inserting the rails together with the inner plate into the baseplate,

d) sliding in the elastomer profiles between the console ledges of thebase plate and the rails, and

e) releasing the tension of the rails towards the outer side so that therails are braced between the elastomer profiles provided on the consoleledges.

A third method of mounting the track is characterized by the steps:

a) laying the elastomer bands on the longitudinal ribs of the base plateand inserting the inner plate in the base plate,

b) attaching the elastomer profiles to both sides of the rails, and

c) pressing-in the rails together with the elastomer profiles betweenthe console ledges of the base plate and the console ledges of the innerplate, optionally with a metal sheet strip interposed between theconsole ledges.

A fourth method of mounting the track is characterized by the steps:

a) laying the elastomer bands onto the longitudinal ribs of the baseplate and inserting the inner plate in the base plate,

b) inserting the elastomer profiles between the console ledges of thebase plate and the console ledges of the inner plate, and

c) pressing-in the rails.

All the methods have in common that mounting is possible without verycomplex installation tools and within short period of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further explained by way of examples and withreference to the drawings. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 shows a track according to the invention in a cross-sectionaccording to lines I--I of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 shows a top view on the track according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal middle section of the track according toFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of a base plate;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of a rail profile for a track according tothe invention;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of a detail of a rail supported on the baseplate and on the inner plate;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a rail attachment; and

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of a detail of a rail supported on the baseplate and on the inner plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, a track including rails 2 is generally denoted by 1, eachhead portion 3 of the rails 2 being supported at the rail outer side viaan elastomer profile 4 on a console ledge 5, and at the rail inner sidevia an elastomer profile 6 on a console ledge 7. The elastomer profiles4, 6 extend from the head portion 3 to the foot portion 8, the elastomerprofiles 4, 6 being compressed by the console ledges 5, 7 so that therails 2 are fixed in the lateral direction.

The two console ledges 5 at the rail outer side are arranged so as to beintegrated on upwardly extending side portions 9 of a base plate 10 ofrectangular ground plan and lying underneath the rails 2. Similarly, thetwo console ledges 7 on the rail inner side are arranged so as to beintegrated on the lateral ends of an inner plate 11 of rectangularground plan, which inner plate 11 lies between the rails 2 and above thebase plate 10 and is supported on the base plate 10 via elastomer bands12. As is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, the base plate 10 and the innerplate 11 have equal lengths, yet they are arranged to be offset relativeto each other by half a length. To prevent a mutual displacement of theplates 10, 11, each base plate 10 has two spaced apart, upwardlydirected longitudinal ribs 13 which are interrupted in their middleregion or have a reduced height so as to form a recess for accommodatinglongitudinal ribs 14 at the end regions of the inner plate 11 which arealigned with the longitudinal ribs 13 and are directed downwardly, thelongitudinal ribs 13, 14 being formed to be slanted to the respectiveplate body of the base plate 10 or to the inner plate 11, respectively,at the mutual transitions and their heights being dimensioned such thata gap is formed to receive the elastomer bands 12 lying between thelongitudinal ribs 13, 14. By this design, the longitudinal ribs 13, 14engage in the complementary projections and recesses formed between thelongitudinal ribs like a toothing when the plates 10, 11 are assembledand form a positive connection in the longitudinal direction.

The base plates 10 and the inner plates 11 may be produced as finishedparts, ferroconcrete, polymer bonded concrete, or special concrete, e.g.with additives, being preferably used, and the plates 10, 11, ifdesired, may be provided with reinforcements (not shown). The base plate10 may also be produced by site-mixed concrete construction. To savematerial, the plates 10, 11 furthermore are each provided with arectangular recess 15 or 16, respectively, in their middle, whichrecesses are laterally followed by the longitudinal ribs 13 and 14,respectively. Due to the recesses 15 or 16, respectively, the plates 10,11 get the shape of a frame which optionally is provided with a closedbottom at its lower side. Furthermore, to increase the load bearingcapacity, the base plate 10 may include a broadening portion 17departing from the lateral portions 9 and comprising reinforcements, asis indicated in dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 4. To further increase theload bearing capacity of the base plate 10, the space between the tworibs 13 in the region externally of the recess 15 may be filled withmaterial to be level therewith, as is illustrated in FIG. 4 bytwo-dots/one- dash lines. The same may be done at the inner plate 11.

To define the electric potential of the base plate 10, preferably angleprofiles 18 made of metal are provided at the upper end of the sideportions 9, which angle profiles may be conductively interconnectedand/or connected to ground.

In FIG. 5 a rail 2' is illustrated which comprises a second head portion3' instead of a foot portion, so that after an excessive wear,particularly on the wheel flange side, the rail 2' may be removed andre-inserted upside down. Each rail 2' thus altogether may be used fourtimes.

FIG. 6 shows an arrangement in which the height of the elastomer profile4' at the rail outer side below the head portion 3 exceeds the height ofthe elastomer profile 6' at the rail inner side so as to equalize theresilient deflections of the elastomer profile 6' and the elastomerbands 12. At the same time, by choosing a suitable height of theelastomer profile 6', the rail 2 may be forced to assume an inwardlyinclined position, as is indicated by the second, inclined middle axis Min FIG. 6, so that the rails adapt to the conically turned runningsurfaces of a wheel tire and the wheel flange is not subjected to wear.

For safety and revision reasons, the rails 2 are rigidly connected witha base 19 at fixed locations at intervals of from 10 to 60 m, as isillustrated in FIG. 7.

To connect the rails 2 with the base 19, e.g. four metal plates 20anchored in the base are used, conventional rail fastening elements 21,e.g. clamping plates, spring clamps or the like, being attached to themetal plates to clamp the rails 2. The length of the base may beapproximately 0.5 to 1 m. By this arrangement, an excursion of the rails2 in the lateral and longitudinal directions is prevented.

With the rail 2" illustrated in FIG. 8, the foot portion is designed asa bead 23, the two elastomer profiles 4" and 6" in the disassembledstate each having a width corresponding to half the distance between thetwo console ledges 5 and 7. The two elastomer profiles 4" and 6" canalso be designed in one piece by being connected at their lower ends, asis illustrated in broken lines. In the transition region, apertures 24will be provided in spaced relationship which allow for an exit andaccess, respectively, of air when the rail 2" is installed and removed.

For level road crossings, at least the inner plate 11 is formed withouta recess 16. To make arcuate trackways, the ground plan of the baseplate 10 has the shape of a isosceles trapezoid, while the shape of theinner plate 11 which overlaps two halves of the base plates 10 eachaccordingly has a ground plan of two assembled non-isosceles trapezoids.

To install the rails 2, 2' between the base plate 10 and the inner plate11, central recesses 22 are provided on the internal side of the sideportions 9 of the base plate 10, which recesses allow for theintroduction of an installation tool, e.g., the jaw of tongs. For thesame purpose, recesses 22' may be provided on the external side of theinner plate 11, which are illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 2.Additionally, the base plates 10, at the sites of abutment, may beprovided with a recess 22" similar to the recess 22 in the middle orwith wider, slantedly extending recesses 22"', the latter serving tofacilitate insertion of the elastomer profiles 4, 4' during mounting(cf. FIG. 2). To prevent an axial excursion of the elastomer profiles 4,4', clamping retention means (not illustrated) are arranged in theregion of the recesses 22"'. To reduce the running noise of the wheels,walls 25 of sound-absorbing material may be attached to one or bothsides (cf. FIG. 1). In the region of the recesses 22, the elastomerprofiles 4, 4' and the console ledges 5, 5' are interrupted.

During installation, at first the elastomer bands 12 are laid onto thelongitudinal ribs of the base plate 10, and the rails 2, 2' are pressedat the console ledges 5 of the base plate 10 by means of tongs,whereupon the inner plate 11, possibly in a skewed position, is insertedin the base plate 10. Then the elastomer profiles 6, 6' are slid inbetween the console ledges 7 of the inner plate 11 and the rails 2, 2'in track direction. Subsequently, the rails 2, 2' are pressed togetherfrom the outside by means of the tongs, and the elastomer profiles 4, 4'are slid in or drawn in, preferably via the recesses 22"', between theconsole ledges 5 of the base plate 10 and the rails 2, 2'.

With a second type of installation, at first the elastomer profiles 6,6' are mounted on the console ledges 7 of the inner plate 11, andsubsequently the rails 2, 2' are laid onto the elastomer profiles 6, 6'at the outer side thereof. Then the rails 2, 2' are pressed togetherfrom the outside by means of the tongs, so that the distance between therails is reduced. Subsequently, this assembly is inserted between theconsole ledges 5 of the base plate 10, in which the elastomer bands 12have previously been laid onto the longitudinal ribs 13, the jaws of thetongs entering into the recesses 22, whereupon the elastomer profiles 4,4' are mounted on the console ledges 5 of the base plate 10 by slidingin. When the tongs are released, the rails 2, 2' are braced, whereuponthe jaws of the tongs are withdrawn from the recesses 22.

A third type of installation of the rail 2" according to FIG. 8 consistsin that at first the elastomer bands are inserted, and the inner plates11 are inserted in the base plate 10, subsequently the rails 2" on bothsides are provided with the elastomer profiles 4, 4' and 6, 6',respectively, whereupon this assembly, if desired with a metal sheetstrip interposed, is pressed in between the console ledges 5 and 7,respectively, with pressure being applied from the top.

A fourth type of installation of the rails 2" according to FIG. 8consists in that at first the elastomer profiles 4, 4' and 6, 6',respectively, are attached to the console ledges 5 and 7, respectively,whereupon the rails 2" are pressed in with pressure being applied fromthe top and are secured in that position by the bead 23.

As there exist various shapes of rail sections, the console ledges 5 and7 and the elastomer profiles 4, and 6, respectively, can be adapted tothe head portions, webs and foot portions of these sections.

The distance of the console ledges 5 and 7, respectively, to the upperside of the base plate 10 is chosen such that the foot portion 8, 8' ofthe rail 2 extends always--i.e., also if under load--at a distance tothe upper side of the base plate 10. The above-mentioned inclinedposition of the rail 2 may also be achieved in that the distance of theconsole ledges 5 at the rail outer side to the upper side of the baseplate 10 is chosen to exceed the distance of the console ledge 7 at therail inner side to the upper side of the base plate 10.

To produce rails having a reduced width of the foot portion, rails ofnormal section can be used whose foot portion is reduced to the requiredwidth on one or both sides by cutting by means of a flame cutter or alaser.

The elastomer profiles 4, 4' and 6, 6' may either be slid in at eachplate unit in cut-to-length state, or they may be slid in or drawn invia the recesses 22"' by using a lubricant.

For a more favorable pressure distribution, the upper seat-engagingsurface of the console ledges 5, 7 of the base plate 10 and of the innerplate 11 may extend substantially in parallel to the lower seat-engagingsurface of the head portion 3 of the rails 2, 3, i.e. at an inclination.

What is claimed is:
 1. A track assembly comprising a pair of parallelspaced apart rails each having an enlarged head, a plurality oflongitudinal base plates adapted to be mounted on a track bed and havinga pair of opposed laterally spaced inwardly projecting first consoleledges and a plurality of inner plates supported on said longitudinalbase plates between said first console ledges and having a pair ofoppositely extending second console ledges, said rails being supportedin spaced relation above said longitudinal base plates by said first andsecond console ledges via intermediate elastic inserts engaged betweensaid rails and said first and second console ledges beneath saidenlarged head of each rail.
 2. A track assembly according to claim 1,wherein the base plates and the inner plates are reinforced structures.3. A track assembly according to claim a 1, wherein the base plates eachcomprise upwardly projecting side portions on which the first consoleledges are integrally formed and wherein the second console ledges areintegrally formed on opposite lateral sides of each inner plate.
 4. Atrack assembly according to claim 2, herein the base plates eachcomprise upwardly projecting side portions on which the first consoleledges are integrally formed and wherein the second console ledges areintegrally formed on opposite lateral sides of each inner plate.
 5. Atrack assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base plates and theinner plates have equal lengths and are arranged longitudinally offsetrelative to each other.
 6. A track assembly according to claim 1,wherein the base plates are provided with at least one upstandinglongitudinal rib for supporting the inner plates on the base plates. 7.A track assembly according to claim 2, wherein the base plates areprovided with at least one upstanding longitudinal rib for supportingthe inner plates on the base plates.
 8. A track assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the inner plates are provided with at least onelongitudinal rib directed downwardly for supporting the inner plates onthe base plates.
 9. A track assembly according to claim 2, wherein theinner plates are provided with at least one longitudinal rib directeddownwardly for supporting the inner plates on the base plates.
 10. Atrack assembly according to claim 2, or claim 7, wherein an elastomerband is disposed between the longitudinal rib of each base plate and theinner plates supported thereon.
 11. A track assembly according to claim8, or claim 9, wherein an elastomer band is disposed between thelongitudinal rib of each inner plate and the base plates.
 12. A trackassembly according to claim 6, wherein each base plate comprises twoupwardly extending longitudinal ribs spaced from each other, saidlongitudinal ribs being interrupted adjacent a middle region thereof andeach inner plate includes at opposite end regions two complementarylongitudinal ribs which register with the longitudinal ribs of the baseplate.
 13. A track assembly according to claim 7, wherein each baseplate comprises two upwardly extending longitudinal ribs spaced fromeach other, said longitudinal ribs being interrupted adjacent a middleregion thereof and each inner plate includes at opposite end regions twocomplementary longitudinal ribs which register with the longitudinalribs of the base plate.
 14. A track assembly according to claim 8,wherein each base plate comprises two upwardly extending longitudinalribs spaced from each other, said longitudinal ribs being interruptedadjacent a middle region thereof and each inner plate includes atopposite end regions two complementary longitudinal ribs which registerwith the longitudinal ribs of the base plate.
 15. A track assemblyaccording to claim 9, wherein each base plate comprises two upwardlyextending longitudinal ribs spaced from each other, said longitudinalribs being interrupted adjacent a middle region thereof and each innerplate includes at opposite end regions two complementary longitudinalribs which register with the longitudinal ribs of the base plate.
 16. Atrack assembly according to claim 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein thelongitudinal ribs on the base plate and the longitudinal ribs on theinner plate are provided with complementary chamfered surfaces tofacilitate interfitting.
 17. A track assembly according to claim 1,wherein each base plate and each inner plate are provided in a middleportion thereof with a recess to form a frame.
 18. A track assemblyaccording to claim 2, wherein each base plate and each inner plate areprovided in a middle portion thereof with a recess to form a frame. 19.A track assembly according to claim 17, or claim 18, wherein the frameis provided with a closed bottom.
 20. A track assembly according toclaim 1, wherein each base plate and each inner plate are prefabricatedparts.
 21. A track assembly according to claim 2, wherein each baseplate and each inner plate are prefabricated parts.
 22. A track assemblyaccording to claim 20, or claim 21, wherein each base plate and eachinner plate are comprised of polymer bonded concrete or specialconcrete.
 23. A track assembly according to claim 1, or claim 2,comprising base plates made of site-mixed concrete.
 24. A track assemblyaccording to claim 3, wherein said upwardly projecting side portions areprovided with longitudinally extending metal profiles with the metalprofiles of adjacent base plates each being electrically interconnectedor grounded.
 25. A track assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidrails are provided with an enlarged foot portion and a narrower webportion interconnecting each head and foot portion and wherein saidelastic intermediate inserts are shaped to engage the head portion, theweb and the foot portion of each rail.
 26. A track assembly according toclaim 25, wherein said enlarged foot portion and said head portion ofeach rail are of equal width and shape.
 27. A track assembly accordingto claim 25, wherein the width of each enlarged foot portion of therails is equal to or smaller than the distanced between the first andsecond console ledges.
 28. A track assembly according to claim 1,wherein said base plates and said inner plates are designed to have arectangular-shaped ground plan and have equal lengths with the baseplates and the inner plates being longitudinally offset relative to eachother.
 29. A track assembly according to claim 1, wherein said elasticinserts adjacent an outer side of each rail below the head portion havea height exceeding a height of the elastic insert adjacent an inner sideof each rail.
 30. A track assembly according to claim 1, wherein thedistance of said first console ledges to the upper side of the baseplates exceeds the distance of the second console ledges to the upperside of the base plates.
 31. A track assembly according to claim 1,comprising base plates which are prefabricated and rigid connectionsbetween said base plates and a track bed at intervals from 10 to 60 m.32. A track assembly according to claim 31, further comprising metalplates secured to said base plates and a plurality of rail fasteningelements being secured to said metal plates.
 33. A track assemblyaccording to claim 1, comprising metal plates arranged at intervals from10 to 60 m and being connected directly to a track bed and a pluralityof rail fastening elements being secured to said metal plates.
 34. Atrack assembly according to claim 3, further comprising central recessesbeing provided on an inner side of said upstanding side portions withthe first console ledges and adjacent elastic inserts being interruptedin the region of the recesses.
 35. A track assembly according to claim34, further comprising recesses on the outer side of the side portionsof the inner plates.
 36. A track assembly according to claim 3, or claim4, comprising base plates provided with projections outwardly extendingadjacent the side portions of the base plates.
 37. A track assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein each rail is provided with a foot portionin the form of an enlarged bead with each elastic insert having in itsdisassembled state a width corresponding to half a distance between saidfirst and second console ledges.
 38. A track assembly according to claim3, comprising base plates which are provided at their side portions atabutment sides with a recess.
 39. A track assembly according to claim 3,comprising base plates having a slanted recess provided on a sideportion extending from an outside thereof to an inside portion thereofadjacent abutment sites.
 40. A track assembly as set forth in claim 1,further comprising walls of sound-absorbing material secured to at leastone side of each base plate.
 41. A track assembly as set forth in claim1, wherein said first and second console ledges are provided with upperseat-engaging surfaces which extend substantially parallel to lower seatengaging surfaces of the head portion of each rail.